Article 2, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution provides that “it is the duty of the state to give quality and accessible education for all’. Therefore, based on this constitutional provision, quality education is a right. This however is already a cliché for nowadays, only those who have the means can afford a decent and quality education. For most of us, the aspiration of getting quality education has become a luxury, a status symbol in the society. For those who cannot even afford a decent living, education has become a dream. Therefore, we are being misled since then for education is no longer a right but rather a privilege; a hard-earned privilege.
We are of the belief that only education can save us from the very poor condition that we are in now. We are often made to believe that the key towards achieving greener pastures is arming ourselves with a competitive and quality education where we can brace the challenges of the modern world and conquer its eccentricities.
That, in all aspect is true. Many would desire to go to school yet, poor economic conditions hinder us. Recent survey shows that of the total elementary graduates, only 50% of them goes to high school. Of that 50%, only half proceeds to college to earn a degree. In the private schools, tuition fees are increasing almost every year, thus many students are transferring to public schools. In any situation, public schools are overcrowded with students, school supplies are not enough to serve these students; teachers are overburdened but underpaid. What is the anticipated result then? Quality education is sacrificed.
The government has starting to give its responsibility up to the private educational institutions. The most overwhelming insult to education is the less prioritization it has given to it; spending more than half of the fiscal budget to militarization spending and debt servicing. The education sector is forced to survive on the meager budget that the government allots thus, through the years, the quality of education in the Philippines is largely lagging behind its Asian counterparts and its accessibility is only available to those who can afford.
The Philippine educational system is in a crisis. The decline in its quality and the challenges of its accessibility is a concern everybody must address. We are lucky because we have been given the privilege to study, to learn. We are given the opportunity to make the first step towards achieving our dreams and aspirations. But we are only the privileged but few.
As members of the student government, the duty of representing the concerns of the students lies in us. They depend on us to be their allies and protectors of their interests. But what can our little voices do amidst these crucial problems? Many. We are little voices but we have gigantic minds and precious ideas. We are delicate but we can do a lot.
It is our foremost duty to represent the concerns of the students. We exist in behalf of them. Their concerns are also our concerns. Their dreams are also our dreams. Their aspirations are also our aspirations. Thus their failure in achieving their goals is also our failure. It is our duty to let their voices heard in very level of the government. We are the vanguards and protectors of their interests.
We do not have economic means to help send students to school but we could lobby in our local governments for scholarships that would help send to school the poor but deserving students. Since our access to modern educational materials is limited, we can ask those who have the hearts to help such non-government institutions for financial aids so that we can purchase modern and technologically updated materials and equipments.
Since we are more focused in our own schools, we could initiate core discussion groups and small study clubs to help those who don’t have the luxury of time to study at home or those who have the interest for additional learning. This would address in our little way the crisis that we have in the quality of our education.
Despite our age, we can do big things. If we are only aware the important responsibility that is upon is. Responsibility does not come with age but with the acceptance of responsibility.
We are young, but we are free to do what we can to help ourselves. If we only believe that such dream is not so faraway.
